[News] NASA Updates Coverage for Boeing’s Starliner Launch, Docking

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Editor’s Note: NASA and its mission partners scrubbed the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test launch attempt on Saturday, June 1, due to an observation of a ground launch sequencer. The system was unsuccessful in verifying the sequencer’s necessary redundancy. The team is evaluating the upcoming launch opportunities on Sunday, June 2; Wednesday, June 5; and Thursday, June 6. NASA will update the launch coverage advisory timing as soon as possible. NASA will provide live coverage of prelaunch and launch activities for the agency’s Boeing Crew Flight Test, which will carry NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to and from the International Space Station. Launch of the ULA (United Launch Alliance) Atlas V rocket and Boeing Starliner spacecraft is targeted for 12:25 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 1, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Starliner will dock to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module at approximately 1:50 p.m., Sunday, June 2. Wilmore and Williams will remain at the space station for about a week to test the Starliner spacecraft and its subsystems before NASA works to complete final certification of the transportation system for rotational missions to the orbiting laboratory as part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program. NASA, Boeing, and ULA scrubbed the previous launch opportunity on May 6 due to a suspect oxygen relief valve on the Atlas V rocket’s Centaur second stage. Since, teams have removed and replaced the valve, and completed an assessment of Starliner’s performance and redundancy after discovering a small helium leak in the spacecraft’s service module. As part of the helium leak investigation, NASA and Boeing conducted a follow-on propulsion system assessment to understand potential helium system impacts to some Starliner return scenarios. NASA also completed a Delta-Agency Flight Test Readiness Review on May 29 to evaluate all work performed and flight rationale before proceeding toward launch. The deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch has passed. The agency’s media credentialing policy is available online. For questions about media accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. NASA’s mission coverage is as follows (all times Eastern and subject to change based on real-time operations): Friday, May 31 1 p.m. – Prelaunch briefing with the following participants: NASA Associate Administrator Jim Free Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Dana Weigel, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program NASA astronaut Mike Fincke Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing Gary Wentz, vice president, Government and Commercial Programs, ULA Mark Burger, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Coverage of the briefing will stream live on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. Media may ask questions in person and via phone. Limited auditorium space will be available for in-person participation. For the dial-in number and passcode, media should contact the newsroom at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida no later than one hour before the start of the event at ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov. Saturday, June 1 8:15 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, YouTube, and the agency’s website. 12:25 p.m. – Launch Launch coverage on NASA+ will end shortly after Starliner orbital insertion. NASA Television will provide continuous coverage leading up to docking and through hatch opening and welcome remarks. 2 p.m. – Postlaunch news conference with the following participants: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson Ken Bowersox, associate administrator, NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate Steve Stich, manager, NASA’s Commercial Crew Program Dana Weigel, manager, NASA’s International Space Station Program Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Commercial Crew Program, Boeing Tory Bruno, president 

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-updates-coverage-for-boeings-starliner-launch-docking/